A stellar cast of soulful and forward-thinking producers step into Omar’s world on Brighter The Days: The Remixes, a beautifully curated companion piece to the UK soul legend’s acclaimed ninth studio album.
Bringing together names such as Kenny Dope, Joe Claussell, DJ Spinna, Illa J and Supa D & Maestro, the collection feels less like a standard remix package and more like a celebration of Omar’s enduring influence across soul, house and broken beat culture.
Kenny Dope immediately brings heavyweight groove pressure to ‘Lovey Dovey’. Tight drums, funk-driven rhythms and crisp percussion transform the original into a warm dancefloor mover full of classic New York energy. There is a looseness and bounce throughout that feels tailor made for dancers, with Omar himself rightly pointing out that you can easily imagine people locking and popping to it.
DJ Spinna’s remix of the title track is another standout moment. Smooth keys, soulful bass lines and uplifting groove work combine with Spinna’s trademark warmth and musicality. It feels classy, effortless and deeply rooted in soulful dance music traditions without sounding nostalgic or dated.
Illa J takes ‘Love Is Like’ into hazier territory, wrapping the vocals in laidback rhythms and smoky soulful textures. There is a subtle hip-hop influence beneath the groove that gives the remix a different emotional feel while still respecting the heart of the original recording.
The centrepiece of the collection though belongs to Joe Claussell. His remix of ‘There’s Much Love In The World’ stretches beyond twelve minutes of spiritual house intensity, building patiently through layered percussion, hypnotic rhythms and uplifting musical movements. The accompanying ‘World Afriqua Dub’ pushes even deeper into trance-like territory, delivering the kind of immersive late-night journey Claussell has built his legendary reputation on for decades.
Closing things out, Supa D & Maestro bring ‘I’ve Been Waiting’ into deeper UK soulful house territory with warm bass grooves, crisp drums and rich vocal textures that feel equally suited to clubs and open-air sessions alike.
What makes Brighter The Days: The Remixes work so well is the quality of the source material. Omar’s songwriting and vocal presence remain the emotional thread running through the entire release, while each producer manages to bring their own distinct identity without overshadowing the spirit of the originals.
This is soulful dance music handled with care by artists who genuinely understand groove, emotion and musical legacy. A remix package full of warmth, depth and timeless musicality.
Release date for this one is set for 26th June, 2026, pre order here.